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The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1)

Julie Kagawa

Start date: February 11, 2023

Finish date: March 12, 2023

Discussion: Buddy Reads 2023

Why we're reading this: Feb 2023 BR
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Buddy Reads 2023

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* November Buddy Reads
By Alyana , All Hands on Deck · 10 posts · 87 views

last updated Oct 28, 2023 06:49AM

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last updated Nov 12, 2023 06:50AM

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What Members Thought

Aug 22, 2018 Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, urban-fantasy, audio, romance, zz-rrrc-mag-aug-2023-list, own-ebook-read, reviewed, young-adult, 0-floab-discovery-bookshelf

This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but it didn't really wow me. I find books like this so hard to review. On one hand, I liked the book. On the other hand, I didn't love it.

The one great thing that this book has going for it is the stellar concept behind the story. Kagawa has taken the common knowledge that people know about fae (or fey, faeries, etc.) and expanded on it in a unique way. I liked how she pulled from things that most people can rela This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but it didn't really wow me. I find books like this so hard to review. On one hand, I liked the book. On the other hand, I didn't love it.

The one great thing that this book has going for it is the stellar concept behind the story. Kagawa has taken the common knowledge that people know about fae (or fey, faeries, etc.) and expanded on it in a unique way. I liked how she pulled from things that most people can relate with, such as characters from Shakespeare, and brought them to life in her own way. The concept alone had such potential to be a five-star read. Unfortunately, some of the execution dampened my enthusiasm.

The flow of the story was very smooth and fast-paced. I think that this is where some of the issues that I have with the book stem from. While there was plenty of minor conflicts for the main character, the large conflict with the boss at the end of the book was over and done with in what felt like seconds. The book had been building up to this big showdown with the main villain, but it just felt like it petered out at the end. I feel that the book could have been lengthened to include more conflict.

This brings me to the romance. I also feel like the book could have been lengthened to include more emotional interaction with the love interests in the book. The romance felt rushed and almost as if it came out of nowhere. It didn't feel believable. The main character was threatened by her love interest and they were guarded around each other. Then all of a sudden he is kissing her without really showing him soften to her at all. It just didn't work for me. Which is saddening because I was rooting for the romance in the background. Another thing in this book that really had so much more potential. In the end, I liked the romance, but it just wasn't convincing enough for my tastes. There was also the beginnings of a love triangle, though minuscule. I guess we will see if a love triangle blossoms forth in the next book?

The character development in the book didn't really have anything lacking, but I didn't feel like the characters touched my heart as much as I would have liked. I was definitely interested in the characters, but I felt like they could have been portrayed more intimately. Interest and adoration are completely different. While I did not dislike the characters, I also wasn't enamored by them.

I felt that the world building was also another high point in this book. While part of this book occurs in the real world, a good portion of the book occurs in Fairyland. I liked Kagawa's portrayal of the Nevernever (a.k.a. Fairyland). Her portrayal is pretty spot on with how I think Fairyland would be from folklore. Mystical and sinister. Both sweet and sour. I liked seeing all the bargains made since that is a key element to the fae's trickery in folklore. I liked the focus on their world existing because of mortals belief in them and them being remembered.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I will continue the series. While the book kept me entertained, I felt there could have been some minor improvements to a few aspects of the story. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys books about the fae.

More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 04, 2010 Barbara ★ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2010, fairy-tales-retelling, x-set-in-usa-louisiana, young-adult, urban-fantasy, paranormal-fae-faerie

The iron fey (technology driven) is working to defeat both the Seelie and Unseelie courts which is an interesting change from the typical faery tale. Surprisingly half-human, half-faery, Meghan Chase is the catalyst to either defend or defeat the fey and this is her story. In this installment, Meghan's little brother, Ethan has been stolen by the Fey and a changeling has been left in his place. Meghan enlists Robbie to help in the search in Faeryland. Along the way, they encounter Ash who is try ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 24, 2015 Nancy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya, fae, irritating-heroine

What is it with annoying heroines? I seem to be reading nothing but books with heroines who are throw-the-book-across-the-room irritating! The minute I met Meghan Chase, I was irritated by her. But I was willing to give her a chance. I know with a lot of YA books, the characters do develop and grow as the books goes on, but Miss Chase just seemed to remain a pain in the butt. She was pathetic, whiny and did very little to warm herself to me. And in so many situations, she just didn't think. I kn ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 02, 2012 Marla rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal, girl-power, adventure, shape-shifters, middle-school, magic, fantasy, zz-2014, series

3.5 stars. Beginning of story sounded vaguely familiar, similar to Wicked Lovely and maybe Tithe. It wasn't a bad book, but just not great and the love story was a little too vague for my taste. Are they involved or not?!

Likes:
* Meghan Chase is a very believable teenager
* Queen Mab, since mab is my initials :D
(view spoiler) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 29, 2013 Anastaciaknits rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, na-ya, 2013

I've always wanted to read this series, so I finally borrowed a copy to read on my nook. With reviews like "brilliant and masterful" how could you not be dying to read it?

I was hooked on the very first page, greatly enjoyed the first few chapters, and then... I honestly just got bored. I liked the story line enough to keep reading it, but the pace was just so slow for me, and I was just expecting MORE. I just did not like Meghan Chase and I definitely didn't like Puck & didn't find him funny. As ...more

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Dec 28, 2009 Sarah Dizon rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, read-in-2011, 4-stars

Look at my review at www.biblioconfessions.blogspot.com :) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 09, 2012 Trisha rated it liked it

a fun little adventure through Fey-land - which feels strangely like Wonderland! I loved all the different animals and creatures in the fey world. I also liked the twist on the typical story. It was a great little fairytale kind of story!

while I didn't love Meghan, I can see where where she has room to grow and learn and mature. I loved Ash and Puck and look forward to the rest of the series! ...more

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